Grain blending and distributing apparatus



April 13 192a 1,580,176

R. C STONE GRAIN BLENDING AND nxsmmunne AIPPARATUS 2 Shets-Shget 1 April '13 1926.

R.-C. STONE GRAIN BLENDING AND DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25 1923 Y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13', 1926. I

UNITED {STATES I 1,580,176 PATENT OFFICEQ;

"men-Ann cl s'roun, on ST. rour'sglvnssoomx GRAIN BLENDING Ann msrmrurrue APPARATUS.

A ncaan' filed-Jan ar 25, 1923. Serial No 614,730.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD C. SToNE,

a citizen of the United States of America,

and a resident of the city of St. Louis,-in

the State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain Blending and Distributing Apparatus, of which the following-ma full, clear, and

. iuent of the distributing receptacle, may be i exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart thisspecification. g

This invention relates'to improvements in grain blending-and distributing apparatus,

one of the ob ects being to provide a simple;

means wherebygraln passing from different )arts of av ramelevator ma be 'selectivel delivered to different grainbins or to other parts of the elevator. .A further object isv to ring grain'from one point to another, for example, from elevator legs or grain cleaners to the "grain bins, or from grain bins to elevator legs. 1

The preferred form 01 the invention in cludes a grain distributing and blending receptacle having two compartments-,and

discharged spouts leading from the respectire compartments. Each 'dlscharge spout may be adprstable 1117211 'arc of a circle to locate its discharge end in diiferent positions, zhereby allowing the grain to pass'from either compartment to any one of anumber of grain bins, or other receptacles. Each compartl provided with a number of intake spouts leading from different elevator legs, or from different cleaners, or these intake spouts may lead from various other sources It will now be understood that grainfrom various different sources I may be simultaneously delivered to one of the distributing compartments and from thence to any one of a number of grain bins, orwhen desirable, the grain passing from onlyione of the 111- take spouts may be deliveredl to any selected grain b111,. Furthermore, grainfrom several different sources can be simultaneously delivered to the respective distributing com-- the apparatus.

partments and then through the adjustable discharge spout to "the selected, bins. I

In addition to the foregoing, I the apparatus-preferably includes onefon-more valve devices whereby the grain passing from an intake spout may be directed-intdeither distributing: compartment. In using "the apparatus, the discharge spouts are adjusted .to-deliverthegrain to the selected bins', and by adjusting the valve device herein shown it is possible to "directthegrain from anyz;

one or more ofthe intake spouts to either discharge spout. .;There are several ntake spouts which may be placed in ,con1munication with either discharge spout.

The variations obtainable nthehdistr'i-r bution and blending ofv the grain are .so

numerous that I will not specificallypoint out the results or advantages of all of the different adjustments which maybe made in It will be understood, how; ever, that it is highly desirable to .blend diit'er'ent grains, and that it is likewisedesirable to minimize thelabor and expense in transferring grain from various poin-ts to certaln selected points at lower elevat ons. After the source of the grain has been ,d e-

termined, the delivery pointcanj'be very easilyselected bymerely ad usti ng adischarge spout and a valve, and in many instances it will not even b'e' necessary to adjust the valve. Moreover, diiferent grades of grain, or different kindsiof'graim can be blended or mixed while they are passing to the selected delivery point, and it is possible to blend different streams of grainpassingto one of the. discharge spouts. while one or more additional streams of gra n are passing to the :other discharge spout.

' lVith the foregoing and Othl 'fObjBCb S in xview, the invention comprises thev novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustratedin the accompanying drawings wherein isshown the preferred embodiment of the-invention; However, it"

is to be understood that the invention comprehends changes, variations vand modifications which come Within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

:Fig. Iis atop or plan View of an appara tus embodyingthe features of thisinventlon,

the intake-spouts being shown in section, andthe upper and lower marginsof the receptacle being broken away.

Figll is a vertical sectionof the appa-' ratus, showing the floor to which the receptacle is secured.

Fig. III is a horizontal section on a small scale, illustrating a number of grain bins adapted to receive the grain passing from my apparatus, the combined blending and distributing apparatus being shown in elevation.

Fig. IV is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustrating the antifriction bearing whereby one of the discharge spouts is rotatably supported.

Fig. V is a view similar to Fig. IV showing the antifriction bearing associated with the other discharge spout.

A designates a combined blending and distributing receptacle comprising an outer compartment 1 and an inner compartment 2 surrounded by said outer compartment, a cover 3 being arranged over both compartments, as shown most clearly by Fig. I. This double receptacle is secured to a stationary floor 4 (Fig. II) by means of bolts at passing through a flange 3 which extends irom the outer compartment. The double receptacle is thus secured in a fixed position.

The inner receptacle 2 (Fig. II) is provided with a hopper bottom and a stationary spout section 5 extending downwardly therefrom. 6 designates an angular discharge spout telescoping with and inclined downwardly from the spout section 5. A ball bearing 7 (Figs. II and V) is interposed between the telescoping portions oi these spout members, the balls being confined between a ring 8 at the lower end of spout section 5 and a ring 9 at the upper end of discharge spout 6. A vertical supporting rod 10 (Fig. II), alined with the axis of spout section 5, is secured in a socket 11 attached to the discharge spout 6, and the lower end of this vertical rod is rotatably mounted in a stationary bearing 12. 13 designates a stay, or brace, connecting the lower portion of discharge spout 6 to the vertical rod 10. The discharge spout 6 is thus rigidly secured to the rotatable rod 10, and the upper end of said spout 6 is rotatable on the lower end of the stationary spout section 5. The lateral thrusts resulting from the overhanging weight of discharge spout 6, are transmitted to the ball bearing 7, so the spout 6 will turn freely about the axis of the stationary spout section 5.

The outer compartment 1 is provided at its lower end with a horizontal flange I l forming a raceway for a ball bearing 15, as shown by Figs. II and IV. An angular discharge spout 16 is inclined downwardly vfrom the lower end of the outer compartthe ball bearing 15 on the raceway l i. The discharge spout 16 is free to turn on the ball bearing 15, and its axis oi rotation preferably coincides with the axis of stationary spout section 5. '18 designates an inclined supporting device connecting the overhanging portion of spout 16 to the raceway member 17. The weight of the overhanging spout 16 may be counterbalanced by a weight 19 mounted on an arm 20 which extends from the raceway member 17.

To prevent leakage of grain between discharge spout l6'and spout section 5, the spout 16 is'provided with an internal tubular guard member 21 (Fig. II) and a defiector 22 is secured to the stationary spout section 5. The deflector 22 overlaps the upper end of the tubular guard member 21, and the latter is secured to the rotary discharge spout 16:

' Intake spouts 2-3 and 24 are secured to the top wall of the inner compartment 2, and the grain passing from these spouts may be discharged directly into said inner compartment. 25 designates intake spouts leading into the top of the outer compartment 1. Valve housings 26, preferably located in the receptacle A, are open at the top and bottom so as to provide communication between the spouts 24- and 25 and the compartments 1 and 2. The upper end of each valve housing 26 is in direct communication with a spout 24: and a spout 25, while the lower end of each valve housing is in comn'iunication with the compartments 1 and 2. 27 designates deflector valves located in the respective valve housings 26 and pivotal y supported by rods-28. These pivotally mounted valves can be moved from the positions shown by full lines in Fig. II to the positions shown by dotted lines. These vvalves 27 may be operated independently of each other, and they may be located in upright positions midway between the positions illustrated in Fig. II. When a valve 2? occupies either of the inclined positions shown by Fig. II, its upper end engages a stationary flange 29 which prevents leakage of grain between the upper end of the valve and the adjacent wall of the valve housing.

Operating knobs 27 are secured to the valves 27 as shown in Fig. II, and the top wall 3 is provided with openings 27 (Fig. I) through which a persons hand can be inserted to operate the valves.

When the valves 27 occupy the positions shown by dotted lines in Fig. II, the grain passing from the lower ends of spouts 2i will be diverted into the outer compartment 1, and thence to the discharge spout 16 which is at all times in communication with the outer compartment. When these valves occupy the positions shown by full lines in Fig. II, the grain passing from intake spouts 25 will be diverted into the inner may be adjusted in an arc of a circleso as compartment 2 and thenceto the rotary discharge spout 6. When the valves27 occupy vertical positions midway between tghe positions shown in Fig. II, all of the grain passing through-intake spouts 24: will; be

conducted to the discharge spout 6, and the grain passing from intake spouts 25' will be delivered to the discharge spout 16.

From the foregoing it will be readily"- understood that the valves 27inay beadjusted independentl-y'o-f each other, and the grain passing from any one of the intake spouts 24 and 25 can therefore be directed to either oft-he discharge spouts'6 and 16. The various intake spouts 24 and 25 may lead from difierent receptacles in a grain elevator. For-example, some of the spouts may lead from elevator heads, andothers may lead from grain cleaners. By properly ad justin-g the valves 27, the grain passing from any one or more of the'intake spouts 24 and 25 can he delivered'to the discharge spout 16-, and; at the same time grain passing from other intake spouts may be delivered to the discharge spout 6.

7 Fig.1 III shows a number of grain bins 3U and'31 adapted to receive the grain passing from the discharge spouts 6 and 16. The combined blending and distributing apparatus may be surrounded by grain bins, as shown in Fig. III, which lie at a lower elevation than the discharge spouts. Each grain bin 30 is provided with an intake opening 30, and each bin 31 isprovided with an intake opening 31 communicating with a pocket 32. Each discharge spout 6 and 16 to discharge its contents into any one of the grain bins 30 and31. It will-thus be seen that the grain to-be blended or distributed may be taken from various sou'rces'through the intake spouts 24 and 25 and delivered through the discharge spouts to any selected grain bin. g

I claim: e f 1. The combination of a pluralityof adjustable grain-spouts,- a distributing receptaclefthrough which the grain is delivered. to

said adjustable spouts, said receptacle having inlets for grain from diflierentsources, and means supported ,by and located at the discharge end of said distributing receptacle whereby the grain passing into any of said inlets may be selectively directed into any of said spouts.

2. The combination" of a grain distributing receptacle having two compartments, discharge-spouts leading'lfrom the respec-' tive compartments, each of said discharge spouts being movableein an arc of a circle to locate its discharge end in different positions, each of saidcompartments'haviiig an inlet for the adinission'of grain, and means whereby the grain may be diverted from the inlet of one of said compartments to the discharge 'spoutoftheother compartinent. I I 3; Thecoiiibination of a grain distributing receptacle having t o-compartments, discharge spouts leading from the respective compartments, each of said discharge spouts 1 being movable in an arc of acir'cle to locate its discharge end in different positions, each of'said compartments having an inlet-for the admission of grain, said compartments being in direct communication with each other, and a valvedevice adapted to divert the vgrain'irom the inlet of one compartment to the discharge spout of the other compartment.

4. The combination of a grain distributing receptacle having an innercompartinent and anouter compartment, discharge-spouts leading from the respective compartments, each ofsaid discharge spouts being .1IlOV- able in an arc of a circle to locate its discharge eiidin dilierent positions, each of said compartments having an inletfor the admission of grain, and means whereby the grain may be diverted from one of said compartments and into the other compartment.

' 5.-The combination of a grain distributing receptacle having an inner compartment and an outer compartment, discharge spouts leading from the respective compartments,

each of said discharge spouts being movableinan arc of a circle to locate its discharge end iii different positions, each of said compartments having an inletfor the admission of grain, and a valve device whereby the grain maybe diverted from the intakeof-one compartment to the discharge spout of the other compartment. 1

6, The combination or a grain receptacle having two compartments, intake spouts leadingto the, respective compartments, dis- I charge. spouts leading from the respective compartment, each of said discharge spouts being movable in an arc ofa circle to locate its discharge'eiid indifferent positions, and means iordiverting the grain from the in-, take spout ofone compartment to the discharge spout of the other compartment, said means including a valve device movable from an inclined position directlybeloiv one' of said intake spouts to an inclined position directly below the other intake spout, and

tions, each of said compartments having an inlet for the admission of grain, a valve housing in said distributing receptacle, said ies valve housing being in communication with both of said compartments, and a deflector valve located in said valve housing to control communication between the inlets and discharge spouts, said deflector valve being adapted to place the inlet of one compartment in communicationwith the discharge spout ot the other compartment.

8. The con'lbination of a grain receptacle having two compartments, intake spouts leading'to the respective compartments, dis charge spouts leading from the respective compartments, each ol said discharge spouts being movable in an a re ot a circle to locate its discharge end in different p sitiens, a valve housing in said distributing receptacle, said valve housing being in communication with all of said spouts, and a deflector valve located in said valve housing to permit communication between the intake spout of one compartment and the discharge spout ot' the other compartment.

9. The combination of a grain distributing receptacle, a plurality of intake spouts leading to said receptacle, a plurality of discharge spouts leading from said distributing receptacle, and selective means whereby any of said intake spouts may be placed in conm'iunication with any of said discharge spouts, said selective means comprising a. plurality of deflector valves each of which is adapted to control communication between two intake spouts and the discharge spouts.

10. The combination of a. grain distributing receptacle, a plurality of intake spouts leading to said receptacle, a plurality of discharge spouts leading from said distributing receptacle, valve housings in said distributing receptacle, each of said valve housings being in connnunication with said discharge spouts and also with two of: said intake spouts, and deflector valves in the re spective valve housings, each of said deflector valves being movable to place any of the intake spouts associated therewith in communication with any of said discharge spouts.

11. The combination of a grain distributing receptacle, a plurality of intake spouts leading to said receptacle, a plurality of discharge spouts leading from said distributing receptacle, valve housings in said distributing receptacle, each of said valve housings being in communication with said discharge spouts and also with two of said intake spouts, and deflector valves in the respective valve housings, each of said deflector valves being movable to place any of the intake spouts associated therewith in communication with any of said discharge spouts, and each of said discharge spouts being movable in an are of a circle to locate its discharge end in different positions.

12. The combination of a grain distributing receptacle having a plurality of intake openings and a plurality of discharge openings, intake spouts leading to said intake openings, discharge spouts leading from said discharge openings, grain bins below said discharge spouts, each 01 said discharge spouts being movable in an arc of a circle to locate its discharge end in dillerent posi tions for the delivery of grain to the diiierent bins, and means whereby the grain passing into any of said intake openings may be directed into any of said discharge spouts, said means including deflector valves located in said distributing receptacle so as to permit communication between any selected intake spout and any selected discharge spent.

18. The combination of a grain distributing receptacle having two compartments, discharge spouts inclined downwardly from the respective compartments, and means whereby said dischar e spouts are rotatably secured to the respective compartments, said means including a stationary spout section extending downwardly from one of said compartments and passing through one of said discharge spouts and said stationary spout section telescoping with another of said discharge spouts, and antifriction bearings interposed between the telescoping portions of the last mentioned discharge spout and said spout section. V

14-. The combination of grain distributing receptacle having two compartments, discharge spouts inclined downwardly from the respective .compartments, and means whereby said discharge spouts are rotatably secured tothe respective compartments, said means including a stationary spout section extending downwardly from one of said compartn'ients and passing through one of said discharge spouts and said stationary spout section telescoping with another of said discharge spouts, and antifriction bearings interposed between the telescoping portions of the last mentioned discharge spout and said spout sectiomsaid means including a horizontal annular flange extending from one of said compartments, a horizontal annular flange extending from one of said dischargespouts, and antitrietion bearings interposed between said flanges to permit tree rotation of the last mentioned spout,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto atfix my signature.

RICHARD G. STONE. 

